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I know this is probably going to be an unpopular question, especially in here, but for the past couple of years I have been in a pool where homeruns are the only thing that matters. Its a little more complicated then just drafting guys and going down the line, especially when you get towards the end. And you really have to get good value.

I havent fully embraced advanced stats though Im definitely not opposed to them. Just wondering if theres any stats or links that could be helpful other then simply HRs.

Any data looking at the value of green lighting 3-0 counts. Seems like its a straight fastball down the middle to go 3-1, then the batter fouls off a pitch because he's watched 4 pitches 3 of them out of the zone and is late and maybe swinging at questionable pitches.

How often do 3-0 pitch counts become 3-2? Even a green light with a smaller strike zone should keep the pitcher from getting a free strike.

I really hate how sportswriters keep saying pro-saber uses WAR as the end-all stat. I haven't seen one person that uses WAR as the only stat to judge a player.

This excerpt really made me

And just in case you're thinking FanGraphs must feature the more reliable WAR, bear in mind that Ricky Nolasco was 13-9 with a 5.06 ERA in 2009 while pitching just 185 innings, but FanGraphs had his WAR at 4.3 that season.

So my question is on the term "peripherals" when discussing the sustainability of certain stats. I actually have two questions related to this:

1. What constitutes a "peripheral"? (I believe stats like GB%, LD%, etc. are considered this)
2. How do you determine, when looking at the peripherals of a pitcher for example, what is sustainable in his stats and what is not?

Any links to some reading on this subject would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. Thanks!

So my question is on the term "peripherals" when discussing the sustainability of certain stats. I actually have two questions related to this:

1. What constitutes a "peripheral"? (I believe stats like GB%, LD%, etc. are considered this)

Exactly.

Things like FIP, etc are not peripherals, but their 'exaggerated' statistics qualify instead.

2. How do you determine, when looking at the peripherals of a pitcher for example, what is sustainable in his stats and what is not?

Every stat has a different time frame before it starts to sustain.

For example, if you are a pitcher, your K/BB and K/9 and BB/9 all start to sustain around 30-50 innings. So basically, at this point this season, most of pitchers K and BB rates (as well hitters) are getting close to what they should be all season long, barring a major change from the hitter. This is also the same for kids in the minors (at least hitters). Your plate discipline can sustain rather quickly.

Things like GB rate, FB rate etc start to sustain close to 50 innings as well, but they are usually really good once you reach 100 innings (as a pitcher).

And then things like your LOB%, babip and things like that start to sustain much later, like 300ish innings.

but you can usually predict a pitchers babip within reason once their GB rate etc starts to sustain.

Everything has a sustainability level where they begin to become consistent, but they are all different.

Hey guys, if a player has the worst WAR in the MLB at the end of the season, does that make him the worst player? Or is there a way around WAR? It seems like such an important stat. Newb to saber stats.

Hey guys, if a player has the worst WAR in the MLB at the end of the season, does that make him the worst player? Or is there a way around WAR? It seems like such an important stat. Newb to saber stats.

Have to look at stats as a whole. Having the worst WAR would insinuate he is obviously among the worst players in baseball that season. Kind of like Ike Davis is this year

Hey guys, if a player has the worst WAR in the MLB at the end of the season, does that make him the worst player? Or is there a way around WAR? It seems like such an important stat. Newb to saber stats.

Not a be all end all. It is good, but not perfect. Important, but you cant just look at WAR and make 100% definite conclusions.